Chateau de la Riviere

In the glass

Aroma: dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, espresso, warm spice

Palate: medium-full body, velvety tannins, crushed blueberry, round, cocoa finish

The flagship Fronsac estate red from 60 hectares on clay-limestone soils above the Dordogne. Merlot-led and supple with dark chocolate and ripe cherry; aged in spectacular 16th-century underground cellars at constant 13 degrees.

What it pairs with

• Magret de canard with cherries
  Duck breast richness is lifted by the wine's ripe cherry and dark fruit character; spice complements the sauce.
• Pork shoulder with prunes and Armagnac
  Sweet-savory braised pork and dried fruit resonate with the wine's plum and chocolate register.
• Grilled entrecote with green peppercorn sauce
  Velvety tannins cushion the steak; the wine's licorice note echoes the pepper.
• Mushroom and walnut salad with Roquefort
  Earthy mushroom and pungent cheese find counterpoint in the wine's round, supple texture.

How to serve Chateau de la Riviere

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Magret de canard with cherries, Pork shoulder with prunes and Armagnac, Grilled entrecote with green peppercorn sauce. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Chateau de la Riviere is one of the oldest estates in Fronsac, with records dating to the 16th century. The property's spectacular cave network, carved into the limestone cliffs above the Dordogne, was used for ageing wine from the earliest vintages. Xavier Buffo acquired the estate in 2003 and engaged Michel Rolland as consulting winemaker, elevating quality to regional leadership.

1. 1530: Estate established; limestone cave network used for wine storage
2. 2003: Xavier Buffo acquires the estate; Michel Rolland engaged as consultant
3. 2018: 2018 vintage drew strong critic reviews from Fronsac (reviewer-points tuples on scores array)

Facts

Producer

Chateau de la Riviere · visiting guide

Grapes

Merlot (84%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Malbec (2%)

Classification

Fronsac AOC

Oak

15 months in French oak: 40% new, 60% once-used barrels

ABV

13.5%

Production

280,000 bottles

Price

€25-45 at retail

Drinking window

3-12 from vintage

First vintage

1530

Frequently asked about Chateau de la Riviere

Tags